I recently did a shoot at Bean Hollow State Beach, a little south of Half Moon Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area. As I walked around the rocks, framing up various compositions, I noticed I was pointing my camera downward more. Why? To get a strong composition.

Here's two photos taken from the same location just moments apart.

This composition delivers less impact. There's no clear subject. Is it the sky? The ocean? The eye struggles, unguided in the frame.

This composition is strong. The subject is clearly the incoming surf and the foreground rocks.

I angled my camera downward for the strong composition. Know your subject, and a strong composition will follow.